17 Lord, how long dost thou behold? Keep back my soul from their desolations, From young lions my only one. 18 I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee. 19 Mine enemies rejoice not over me 'with' falsehood, Those hating me without cause wink the eye. 20 For they speak not peace, And against the quiet of the land, Deceitful words they devise, 21 And they enlarge against me their mouth, They said, 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen.' 22 Thou hast seen, O Jehovah, Be not silent, O Lord—be not far from me, 23 Stir up, and wake to my judgment, My God, and my Lord, to my plea. 24 Judge me according to Thy righteousness, O Jehovah my God, And they do not rejoice over me. 25 They do not say in their heart, 'Aha, our desire.' They do not say, 'We swallowed him up.' 26 They are ashamed and confounded together, Who are rejoicing at my evil. They put on shame and confusion, Who are magnifying themselves against me. 27 They sing and rejoice, who are desiring my righteousness, And they say continually, 'Jehovah is magnified, Who is desiring the peace of His servant.' 28 And my tongue uttereth Thy righteousness, All the day Thy praise!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:17-28
Commentary on Psalm 35:17-28
(Read Psalm 35:17-28)
Though the people of God are, and study to be, quiet, yet it has been common for their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. David prays, My soul is in danger, Lord, rescue it; it belongs to thee the Father of spirits, therefore claim thine own; it is thine, save it! Lord, be not far from me, as if I were a stranger. He who exalted the once suffering Redeemer, will appear for all his people: the roaring lion shall not destroy their souls, any more than he could that of Christ, their Surety. They trust their souls in his hands, they are one with him by faith, are precious in his sight, and shall be rescued from destruction, that they may give thanks in heaven.